POSTED 06/21/2020
Updated 6/04/2020
The CNF facilities reactivation plan has been approved by the Vice Provost for Research. The first phase of the plan allows technical staff to return to the CNF for the purpose of restarting equipment and processes and validating procedures and protocols. Staff has been organized in to two (2) non-overlapping working groups (Team A and Team B) that will alternate weeks (initially Mon-Th). The staggered staff schedule will aid in reducing the risk of a complete shutdown should an infection occur. It is estimated this phase will take approximately 2 weeks.
CNF is anxious to return to full operation as soon as possible. There are many logistical challenges and uncertainties, however, we will begin with a limited number of users.
Once the facilities are up and operational, users will be selected to work in the facility from local, Cornell approved Faculty research projects, according to the approved individual faculty start up plans. Faculty who have CNF usage in their restart plans should forward those plans and the names of individuals needing priority access to CNF (Ron Olson) after they have been approved by their department/college. Initially, access will be limited to 50 users. These approved users will be assigned to one of the two fixed "teams" working alternate weeks. Movement between teams will not be permitted. In order to be granted facility access, selected users will be required to take specific safety training and STRICTLY adhere to all new procedures and protocols. The safety of our staff and users is very important to us, any disregard for the new procedures and protocols will lead to an immediate suspension from our facilities.
During both the Staff Only Phase (phase 1-A) and the Selected User Phase (phase 1-B), if schedules and staff availability permit, staff will perform processes or process sequences on behalf of users who cannot enter the clean room.
Additional phases are being developed to include opening up the CNF to Non-Cornell users. At this time we do not have an estimated schedule but anticipate as the State, County and University progresses through the reopening phases, CNF will continue to expand its user base in accordance with the mandates.